Alexandria Venture Investments

AIRNA is a biotech company that is pioneering RNA editing therapies to improve the health of individuals suffering from both rare and common ailments.

Ability Biologics is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative immune-modulating biotherapeutics to meet the pressing medical needs of patients suffering from cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company leverages an advanced platform that employs continuously learning artificial intelligence and a comprehensive database of antigen-antibody interactions. This technology enables the creation of potent and selective antibody therapeutics, aimed at addressing significant gaps in treatment options for these challenging health conditions. By prioritizing tailored solutions, Ability Biologics seeks to enhance patient outcomes and contribute to advancements in the field of immunotherapy.

AltPep Corp is a biomedical startup that specializes in diagnosing and treating amyloid diseases, which are known for their challenging nature. The company operates a proprietary peptide-based platform designed to identify and neutralize toxic precursors associated with these diseases. This innovative approach includes diagnostic and therapeutic applications, particularly focused on the early detection of toxic oligomers in Alzheimer's disease through a soluble oligomer binding assay. By enabling healthcare institutions to detect and address amyloid diseases at an earlier stage, AltPep aims to enhance human health outcomes and improve treatment options for patients suffering from these conditions.

GeneCentric Therapeutics engages in developing and commercializing molecular diagnostic tests for oncologists and patients. The company currently has two unique platform technologies including The Lung Subtype Platform (LSP) stratifies lung cancer patients into subtypes, which are important for appropriate therapeutic selection. The first application of LSP was licensed to and independently developed by Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (“LabCorp”) and is now available through its specialty testing business, Integrated Oncology, as HistoPlusSM: Lung Cancer. Its second platform technology is the Hypoxia Signature which has the potential to identify patients that respond to anti-angiogenesis therapies. GeneCentric utilizes a unique partnership model to translate important cancer discoveries into clinically adopted diagnostics for pathologists, clinicians, and, most importantly, patients. The company was incorporated in 2011 and is based in Durham, North Carolina.

Nitrase Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical platform company focused on developing therapies targeting a newly identified class of enzymes known as Nitrases. Initially concentrating on Parkinson’s disease, the company aims to create drugs that may slow or halt the progression of this and other related neurodegenerative conditions. By leveraging its expertise in nitration, Nitrase Therapeutics seeks to explore the therapeutic potential of biochemical modifications of proteins, particularly through the identification of nitro-substrates and their involvement in various diseases. This approach positions the company to potentially expand its platform to address a broader range of medical conditions in the future.

eFFECTOR Therapeutics Inc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California. Established in 2012, the company specializes in developing selective translation regulators for cancer and other serious diseases. Its innovative approach involves small molecule drugs known as selective translation regulator inhibitors (STRIs), which target the eIF4F complex and its associated kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1/2 (MNK 1/2). This complex plays a crucial role in the translation of specific messenger RNA into proteins linked to cancer progression. eFFECTOR's lead product candidate, tomivosertib, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b trial in combination with pembrolizumab for non-small cell lung cancer. Additionally, zotatifin, an inhibitor of eIF4A, is undergoing dose-escalation trials with plans for further expansion. The company also collaborates with Pfizer to develop inhibitors targeting eIF4E. Through these efforts, eFFECTOR aims to address the challenges of tumor growth, survival, and immune evasion in cancer treatment.

Deep Genomics recruits from among the top 1% of recent graduates and seasoned experts at the intersection of genomics, drug development and AI.

SeQure Dx specializes in providing safety data related to CRISPR gene editing therapies, focusing on both on-target and off-target effects. The company develops genomics diagnostic technologies that facilitate target profiling for gene editing, supporting the discovery, clinical development, and diagnostic processes. Its core technologies are designed to identify potential off-target sites prior to the initiation of therapy, ensuring comprehensive confirmation of actual genetic edits. This capability empowers gene editing therapeutics developers, physicians, and patients by enhancing the safety and efficacy of gene editing treatments.

AltPep Corp is a biomedical startup that specializes in diagnosing and treating amyloid diseases, which are known for their challenging nature. The company operates a proprietary peptide-based platform designed to identify and neutralize toxic precursors associated with these diseases. This innovative approach includes diagnostic and therapeutic applications, particularly focused on the early detection of toxic oligomers in Alzheimer's disease through a soluble oligomer binding assay. By enabling healthcare institutions to detect and address amyloid diseases at an earlier stage, AltPep aims to enhance human health outcomes and improve treatment options for patients suffering from these conditions.

Nitrase Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical platform company focused on developing therapies targeting a newly identified class of enzymes known as Nitrases. Initially concentrating on Parkinson’s disease, the company aims to create drugs that may slow or halt the progression of this and other related neurodegenerative conditions. By leveraging its expertise in nitration, Nitrase Therapeutics seeks to explore the therapeutic potential of biochemical modifications of proteins, particularly through the identification of nitro-substrates and their involvement in various diseases. This approach positions the company to potentially expand its platform to address a broader range of medical conditions in the future.

Aspen Neuroscience, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create patient-specific therapies for neurological conditions, particularly Parkinson's disease. Founded in 2018 and based in San Diego, California, the company is advancing its pipeline of products, which includes ANPD001, an autologous neuron replacement therapy for sporadic Parkinson's disease, and ANPD002, a gene-edited autologous neuron replacement therapy targeting familial forms of the disease. Aspen Neuroscience employs innovative genomic approaches in conjunction with stem cell biology to address diseases with significant unmet medical needs, aiming to provide restorative cell therapies that can modify the progression of Parkinson's disease and potentially extend to other affected organs.

Aitia specializes in applying Causal AI and Digital Twins to advance drug discovery and development. The company utilizes multi-omic patient data and high-performance computing to uncover the underlying biological mechanisms of diseases, creating Digital Twins for conditions such as oncology, neurodegenerative disorders, and immunology. Their Gemini Digital Twins are actively employed to explore new therapies and expedite research and development in areas like multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Huntington's Disease, with additional projects in the pipeline. Aitia collaborates with seven of the top ten pharmaceutical companies, academic research institutions, medical societies, multi-omic data firms, and patient advocacy organizations, positioning itself as a leader in the innovative intersection of technology and healthcare.

Epic Sciences is a privately held diagnostics company committed to improving cancer management by providing easily accessible and real-time biopsy material to guide personalized medicine. Epic is founded on a powerful platform to identify and characterize rare cells including circulating tumor cells ("CTCs"). Epic is working with a number of partners including numerous pharmaceutical companies, major cancer centers, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Institutes of Health.

Compass Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapeutic antibodies for solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Founded in 2014 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes its proprietary StitchMabs and common light-chain platforms to identify and develop innovative antibody therapeutics. Its lead product candidate, CTX-471, is an agonistic monoclonal antibody targeting CD137, currently undergoing Phase I clinical trials. Another significant candidate, CTX-009, is a bispecific antibody that inhibits DLL4-mediated Notch signaling and VEGF-A signaling, and has completed a Phase 1 dose escalation study. Additionally, CTX-8371, another bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and PD-L1, is in the IND-enabling stage. Compass Therapeutics aims to engage the immune system effectively to advance its therapeutic offerings.

Antiva Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing antiviral drugs to treat human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Founded in 2012 and previously known as Hera Therapeutics, the company aims to prevent cancer by addressing precancerous lesions associated with HPV. Antiva's innovative approach involves localized therapeutics and small molecule antivirals designed to improve health outcomes for patients suffering from diseases linked to HPV and other viruses. The company's clinical programs target high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasias and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasias, utilizing a medicinal chemistry platform that emphasizes the development and commercialization of direct-acting antivirals.

StrideBio, Inc. is a gene therapy company based in Durham, North Carolina, established in 2015. The company focuses on developing innovative adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector technologies and therapeutics aimed at treating rare diseases. Utilizing a proprietary platform that combines structural insights with accelerated evolution, StrideBio creates novel AAV capsids designed to evade neutralizing antibodies. This approach allows for enhanced gene addition, gene silencing, and gene editing capabilities, addressing the limitations of first-generation gene therapies. By engineering unique and differentiated vectors, StrideBio aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients facing devastating conditions.

eFFECTOR Therapeutics Inc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California. Established in 2012, the company specializes in developing selective translation regulators for cancer and other serious diseases. Its innovative approach involves small molecule drugs known as selective translation regulator inhibitors (STRIs), which target the eIF4F complex and its associated kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1/2 (MNK 1/2). This complex plays a crucial role in the translation of specific messenger RNA into proteins linked to cancer progression. eFFECTOR's lead product candidate, tomivosertib, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b trial in combination with pembrolizumab for non-small cell lung cancer. Additionally, zotatifin, an inhibitor of eIF4A, is undergoing dose-escalation trials with plans for further expansion. The company also collaborates with Pfizer to develop inhibitors targeting eIF4E. Through these efforts, eFFECTOR aims to address the challenges of tumor growth, survival, and immune evasion in cancer treatment.

Antiva Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing antiviral drugs to treat human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Founded in 2012 and previously known as Hera Therapeutics, the company aims to prevent cancer by addressing precancerous lesions associated with HPV. Antiva's innovative approach involves localized therapeutics and small molecule antivirals designed to improve health outcomes for patients suffering from diseases linked to HPV and other viruses. The company's clinical programs target high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasias and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasias, utilizing a medicinal chemistry platform that emphasizes the development and commercialization of direct-acting antivirals.

Petra Pharma Corporation is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in New York that focuses on discovering and developing therapies targeting phosphoinositide (PI) signaling pathways. Established in 2015, the company aims to create novel small molecules that address serious medical conditions, particularly cancer and metabolic diseases. By honing in on unique enzyme targets involved in critical cellular processes such as cell division, growth, trafficking, and signaling, Petra Pharma seeks to develop innovative treatments that can enhance human health and provide new options for healthcare providers.